Understanding General Intercessions for Daily Mass

General intercessions, also known as the "Prayer of the Faithful" or "Universal Prayer," are an essential part of the Catholic Mass where the congregation joins together to pray for the needs of the Church and the world. These intercessions are called "general" because they address universal concerns that affect all Catholics and humanity as a whole.

📖 How to Use These General Intercessions

1. Choose Your Option: Browse the available intercession options for today's Mass.
2. Download PDF: Click "Download PDF" to get a formatted copy for your lector or liturgy coordinator.
3. Edit if Needed: Use "Edit" to customize intercessions for your parish's specific needs.
4. Browse Other Dates: Use the calendar to access intercessions for any date throughout the year.

General Intercessions for Daily Mass

Friday, September 5, 2025

Saint Teresa of Calcutta, religious

Optional Memorial
Liturgical Color: White

General Intercessions for Saint Teresa of Calcutta, religious

Option 1

1.That the Church, inspired by St. Teresa of Calcutta's selfless love for the poorest of the poor, may always be a beacon of Christ's compassion in the world, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may prioritize the needs of the destitute, the dying, and the marginalized in their policies and actions, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For all who serve the poor and suffering, especially the Missionaries of Charity, that they may be filled with the joy and strength of St. Teresa, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may learn from Mother Teresa to see Christ in the distressing disguise of the poor and to serve Him with wholehearted love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may be a place where the cry of the poor is heard and where all are committed to works of mercy and charity, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those who feel unwanted, unloved, or uncared for.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who ministered to Christ in the poor may now rejoice with St. Teresa of Calcutta in God's eternal kingdom, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV and all pastors, that they may encourage a deep love for the poor and a commitment to social justice, like St. Teresa, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil society may recognize the inherent dignity of every human person, especially the most vulnerable and forgotten, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who are struggling with spiritual darkness or a sense of God's absence, that St. Teresa's witness may bring them hope, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may not be afraid to embrace poverty of spirit and to find our treasure in serving Christ in those who have nothing, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community that actively seeks out and serves the poorest of the poor in our midst, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For our sick, bereaved, etc., special projects or events.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may be welcomed by Christ, who identifies with the least of His brothers and sisters, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Variations if Optional Memorial is not celebrated

Option 1

1.That the Church, guided by Christ who is Lord of the Sabbath, may never allow rigid legalism to crowd out mercy and compassion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil leaders may govern with the wisdom to know when law serves the common good and when genuine human need must take priority, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who feel condemned by strict human judgment, that they may find in Christ the true fulfillment of the law—mercy and life—not condemnation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may honor the Lord's Day not merely by external observance but by entering the restful, merciful presence of Him who is Lord of the Sabbath, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may be a place where God's law is embraced in its fullness—as love, mercy, and truth—never reduced to cold rule-keeping, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those bound by scrupulosity or excessive fear of divine judgment, that Christ's mercy may set them free.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all the faithful departed may enter into the eternal Sabbath rest of God's kingdom, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV and all bishops, that they may interpret the Church's laws in the spirit of Christ—always in service of the human person and the glory of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That all nations may discern what laws truly serve their people and what needs reform, guided always by justice and compassion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those hurt by rigid or unfeeling application of rules, that they may encounter the living Christ who honors the spirit of the law above the letter, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may approach Sunday Mass not out of legal obligation alone but with the joy of those who know the Son of Man is truly present in our midst, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that it may be a community where God's commandments are lived as expressions of love, never as burdens that crush the spirit, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For a deeper embrace of the Lord's Day as a gift of rest and renewal, not merely a legal obligation.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may be found worthy to enter the Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

About Our General Intercessions for Daily Mass

Our general intercessions are carefully written by Giuseppe Njualem, a seminarian at St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ontario. Each set of intercessions follows the guidelines established by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and is crafted with input from theology students and experienced clergy.

📅 Liturgically Accurate

Every intercession is crafted to reflect the specific liturgical season, rank, and saint of the day, ensuring theological accuracy and seasonal appropriateness.

🌍 Universally Focused

Our general intercessions address the four traditional categories: Church needs, world concerns, those in distress, and local community intentions.

📝 Ready to Use

Each option is formatted for immediate use by lectors and can be downloaded as a professional PDF for easy printing and reading during Mass.

✏️ Customizable

Edit any intercession to address your parish's specific needs while maintaining the theological structure and universal focus of general intercessions.